Game day: RMU vs. Toledo

Robert Morris (3-6) vs. Toledo (7-0)

When: Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 4 p.m.

Where: The Charles L. Sewall Center

KenPom: RMU 195, Toledo 81

Link: NECFrontRow.com or RMUradio.com

Storyline: RMU returns home hoping to avoid a five game losing streak against a tough Toledo squad

Getting to know the Rockets: This should be a great matchup. A battle of one incredible offense (Toledo) and an even better defense in RMU…. wait… what?... RMU is giving up 80 points per game? Oh. This should be interesting.

As stated about Toledo can really, really score. All five starters average double digits in scoring with Rian Pearson being the star at 17.7 points per game. Point guard Julius Brown is having an outstanding season, averaging 15 points and seven assists. As a team, Toledo shoots 52 percent from the floor, 39.8 percent from three, and 72.7 percent from the line. AS A TEAM.

Toledo’s averaging 92 points per game, good for third best in the country. They’ve dropped 100 in two games and have only been held under 80 once. The funny thing is, this a good matchup for RMU; there’s no real size advantage for either team.

Keys to the game: LOVED this quote by coach Toole, via Andrew Chiappazzi’s game preview: 

“We’re the No. 1 offensive rebounding team in the Northeast Conference. We’re the 10th defensive rebounding team in the Northeast Conference. That just goes to show you where the effort is and where guys’ focus is.”

It’s very true. This team either has A) no concept of how to play defense (entirely possible) or B) has no interest in playing defense. This is going to be a huge challenge for the Colonials. Just about every open shot Toledo gets they’re going to nail. RMU has to work their asses off on the defensive end to have any chance. This is one of those games where I think we see Toole consistently play eleven guys the whole game.

Toledo isn’t all too great defensively. If RMU can move the ball they should get open looks, especially from three. This is one aspect I think RMU will have an advantage in. Everyone is more comfortable at home and hopefully some of these open looks will fall. Prediction: Chuck Oliver has a big game today.

So that’s about that. It’d be nice to beat a really good Toledo squad but it can’t happen without defense. This is a friendly reminder to students to wear red, be loud, and get there early to get your free wrist band courtesy of the RMU crazies board. Teams really struggle when the Chuck is packed.

See you at 4!

--Chris Cappella

--@C_Cappella